Tool for inking the sole-edges of boots or shoes



('No Mqdel.)

P. P. BUZZELL. TOOL' FOR INKING THE sou; EDGES 0F BopTs OR SHOES. No.-3'77, 846. Patented Feb; 14, 1888..

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE..-

FRANK P. BUZZELL, or MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS.

TOOL FOR lNKlNG THE SOLE-EDGES OF BOO-TS'OR SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent 170377.846, dated February 14, 1888.

Application filed November 3, 1887. Serial No. 254,221. (No model.) i

' ments which are used to distribute ink and other fluids evenly on anarrow surfacebounded by aline beyond which the ink must not pass; and the objects of my invention are, first, to provide a simple, cheap, but efficient tool; second, to provide one which may be readily cleaned; and, third, to make one which can be operated by a class of workmen of small intelligence and skill. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure-lshows a side view of the implement in operation blanking the edge of a shoe. Fig. 2 shows a side view of the guard A, separated from the brush; and Fig. 3 shows a section of the guard.

Similar letters refer to like parts in all the drawings.

My invention consists of a brush adapted in size and shape to the special work to be performed, having a handle about four or five inches long and a guard, A, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, either made so as to close upon the thumb of theoperator or having an attachment to'fasten it to his thumb. For some kinds of work the common form of brush,called a tooth-brush, serves the purpose very well. The brush is used to hold and to spread the ink or similar fluid, being dippedinto the same as often as needed, and it is held in the hand in such a manner as is most convenient to the operator. In connection with the brush and held in the same hand, being attached to the thumb, Fig. 2, is used a guard of about the shape shown in the drawings, (marked A,) having its lower edge thin, and its upper edge thick enough to give strength and to furnish a bearing. This guard should have its lower edge curved, so as to pass easily over any obstructionsin its track, and should be a little deeper than the brush.

I do not intend to be limited to any particular size, shape, or thickness in the'guard or brush, for theymust so correspond in size and shape as to operate together.

The shape of the guard A, as shown in the drawings, isa good one to Work with the common form of a tooth-brush, the top or back of which is shown in Fig. 1 and marked B. After to be acted upon by the ink, as shown in Fig;

1. The brush and the guard are so held that the fingers and thumb of the hand holding them become an-elastic spring to regulate the pressure and to alloweach some freedom of movement as the tool passes over uneven Surfaces. The forefinger may rest upon the upper side or edge of the brush or-guard, as shownin Fig. 1, to get a yielding pressure; but the particular manner of holding the brush and guard will vary somewhat with the operator. After the brush, separated from the guard, has been dipped into the ink or other fluid used it is best first to insert the guard into the track which it is to follow and then to bring the brush to the side of the guard. The ink may then be distributed along the surface to be operated upon and none will pass to the other side of the guard.

It will readily be Seenthat the brush should be as wide as the Surface to be operated upon. When the brush needs to take up more ink, it may easily be separated from the guard by the action of the thumb and fingers and dipped into the reservoir. At the same time, or'as often as needed, the guard, being so easily separated from the brush, can quickly be wiped 90 upon a sponge without removing it from the thumb to remove the ink which will accumulate upon it unless cleaned and spread upon the other side than that next to the brush, which would injure the character of the work.

It has been foundnecessary in any mechanism now used to clean the guard quite often. In any mechanism in which the guard is attached to the brush, or any other part, the removal and cleaning of the guard takes much time and labor, requiring a careful and intel ligent workman.

The guard in my invention maybe made of metal, bone, wood, rubber, or any suitable material. hen there is no oil or grease in the fluid used, hard rubber may be the best material; but metal answers the purpose very well if kept free from rust. The attachment which holds it to the thumb may be made a part of the guard or be a separate clasp.

The purpose for which this tool was first used was to black the edges of the soles of shoes, the elastic guard and brush being found of great importance in preventingthe ink (in some cases of a different color from the uppers) from staining the uppers and other parts of the shoe.

The ease and rapidity with which the guard As the tool costs so little and may be operated successfully by a workman of small skill, 20-

FRANK P. BUZZELL.

\Vitnesses:

Guns. ALLEN TABER, FRANK S. PRATT. 

